King Abdullah Medical City succeeds in saving a kidney failure patient in Mecca
King Abdullah Medical City recorded a new medical achievement that adds to the record of successes of the health system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a specialized medical team in interventional radiology was able to save the life of a young woman in her twenties who was facing imminent danger as a result of complex health complications.
Details of the complex medical case
The patient arrived at the emergency department in extremely critical condition, suffering from a long history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE ), which had led to chronic kidney failure. The severity of her condition lay in the complete loss of all vascular access points (venous access) necessary for the regular dialysis sessions upon which her life depended.
Medical reports indicated that the patient underwent several attempts at different health facilities to insert a catheter, but all attempts failed due to the complete blockage of the central veins in the neck and thighs, which is medically known as "vascular depletion" as a result of the repeated use of catheters and scars resulting from previous interventions.
Precise intervention using interventional radiology techniques
Upon the patient's arrival, King Abdullah Medical City mobilized its staff, and the interventional radiology team led a delicate and complex procedure. Thanks to advanced technology and highly qualified personnel, the team successfully created a new venous pathway using precise techniques to reopen blocked veins and implanted a permanent dialysis catheter without any complications. This allowed the patient to resume dialysis sessions and stabilize her vital signs.
The importance of interventional radiology in modern medicine
Interventional radiology is considered one of the cornerstones of modern medicine, enabling physicians to perform delicate procedures inside the body through very small incisions, no larger than a few millimeters, guided by medical imaging. This approach reduces the risks of traditional surgery and shortens the patient's hospital stay, as clearly demonstrated in the case of this patient who returned to her normal life after the procedure.
King Abdullah Medical City: A Regional Healthcare Reference Center
This achievement reinforces King Abdullah Medical City's as a specialized quaternary care center in the Western Region and an active member of the Makkah Health Cluster. The city plays a pivotal role in receiving complex cases requiring advanced technologies and highly trained personnel, thus reducing the need to refer patients outside the region or even outside the Kingdom.
Keeping pace with the health transformation and Vision 2030
This medical success aligns with the objectives of the healthcare transformation program within the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to facilitate access to and enhance the quality of healthcare services. It underscores the commitment of healthcare facilities in Makkah to providing exceptional care to citizens, residents, and pilgrims, utilizing the latest global medical technologies to serve humanity and preserve life.
